DEVOTION: (from Lutheran Hour Ministries)
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:8-9
Let's see, first there was Munchausen syndrome, and now there is Munchausen by Internet (MBI).
So, have I left you in the dark? It's quite possible unless you are well-acquainted with disorders of the mind and personality. If you are in that category, that is, the unacquainted, let me explain.
Munchausen syndrome takes place when a physically healthy individual pretends to be sick, so he or she can glean attention from other people. Although there is nothing bodily wrong with such a person, they may still end up visiting a whole array of physicians and put in regular appearances at numerous hospitals.
This takes us to Munchausen by Internet. The Internet has transformed an old illness, which called for personal communication, and made it possible for a person with this syndrome to speak to hundreds and thousands of people at a time. It has allowed claims that once could have been checked out and made them virtually unverifiable for many recipients who receive an e-mail telling the story of someone who is supposedly sick. The end result is many people are making emotional and sometimes financial investments in the sad situation of someone whose situation isn't sad at all.
Dr. Marc Feldman, psychiatry professor at the University of Alabama, says he receives one or two such tragic stories every week. He is certain there are many, many more examples that go unreported. He is equally positive such cases are becoming more common.
So what does this have to do with a Daily Devotion? Simple. When it comes to salvation, there are a great many people who have Munchausen-syndrome-in-reverse. Rather than being healthy people who claim they are sick, these folks are sick with sin and claim to be perfectly healthy.
Scripture is clear: we are all sinners and worthy of condemnation. The apostle John adds: "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us." You see, John's talking about folks who are dying of sin but who still claim they are perfectly fit and fine.
Truth is they are not fit and fine. Left to their own devices and strength, their condition is terminal. This is why they need to recognize their illness and confess, "Lord, be merciful to me a sinner."
Thankfully, in His grace, the Lord has provided a Savior in the person of His Son. Through His life, His death, and His glorious resurrection, Jesus has offered Himself as the sacrifice necessary to win our forgiveness and grant spiritual health to our souls.
In Jesus, and by the Holy Spirit's guidance, John assures us, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." In short, the souls who were sick with sin are made healthy and whole.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, I give thanks that You sent Your Son to save us from sin, death and Satan. Now I ask that You will use me to reach out to those sick souls who think they are healthy and don't need a Physician for their souls. This I ask in my Savior's Name. Amen.
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MONDAY'S QUIZ: Where did Jesus go out into to fast for forty days? the desert (wilderness)
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TUESDAY'S QUIZ: What did Jesus make to drive the people who were selling and exchanging money out of the temple?
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CATECHISM:
Question: What are good works in God's sight?
Answer: In God's sight a good work is everything that a child of God does, speaks, or thinks in faith according to the Ten Commandments, for the glory of God, and for the benefit of his or her neighbor.
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:8-9
Let's see, first there was Munchausen syndrome, and now there is Munchausen by Internet (MBI).
So, have I left you in the dark? It's quite possible unless you are well-acquainted with disorders of the mind and personality. If you are in that category, that is, the unacquainted, let me explain.
Munchausen syndrome takes place when a physically healthy individual pretends to be sick, so he or she can glean attention from other people. Although there is nothing bodily wrong with such a person, they may still end up visiting a whole array of physicians and put in regular appearances at numerous hospitals.
This takes us to Munchausen by Internet. The Internet has transformed an old illness, which called for personal communication, and made it possible for a person with this syndrome to speak to hundreds and thousands of people at a time. It has allowed claims that once could have been checked out and made them virtually unverifiable for many recipients who receive an e-mail telling the story of someone who is supposedly sick. The end result is many people are making emotional and sometimes financial investments in the sad situation of someone whose situation isn't sad at all.
Dr. Marc Feldman, psychiatry professor at the University of Alabama, says he receives one or two such tragic stories every week. He is certain there are many, many more examples that go unreported. He is equally positive such cases are becoming more common.
So what does this have to do with a Daily Devotion? Simple. When it comes to salvation, there are a great many people who have Munchausen-syndrome-in-reverse. Rather than being healthy people who claim they are sick, these folks are sick with sin and claim to be perfectly healthy.
Scripture is clear: we are all sinners and worthy of condemnation. The apostle John adds: "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us." You see, John's talking about folks who are dying of sin but who still claim they are perfectly fit and fine.
Truth is they are not fit and fine. Left to their own devices and strength, their condition is terminal. This is why they need to recognize their illness and confess, "Lord, be merciful to me a sinner."
Thankfully, in His grace, the Lord has provided a Savior in the person of His Son. Through His life, His death, and His glorious resurrection, Jesus has offered Himself as the sacrifice necessary to win our forgiveness and grant spiritual health to our souls.
In Jesus, and by the Holy Spirit's guidance, John assures us, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." In short, the souls who were sick with sin are made healthy and whole.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, I give thanks that You sent Your Son to save us from sin, death and Satan. Now I ask that You will use me to reach out to those sick souls who think they are healthy and don't need a Physician for their souls. This I ask in my Savior's Name. Amen.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
MONDAY'S QUIZ: Where did Jesus go out into to fast for forty days? the desert (wilderness)
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
TUESDAY'S QUIZ: What did Jesus make to drive the people who were selling and exchanging money out of the temple?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
CATECHISM:
Question: What are good works in God's sight?
Answer: In God's sight a good work is everything that a child of God does, speaks, or thinks in faith according to the Ten Commandments, for the glory of God, and for the benefit of his or her neighbor.
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CALENDAR:
For ED, neighbor to the Fosters, who found out he has cancer.
Tues- Quilters 9-2; Bible Study 11:30-12:15
Wed- Youth Group 6-7pm
Thurs- no school
Fri- no school; assemble newsletter 9am
Sat- worship 5pm
Sun- worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; worship 11am; REFORMATION CELEBRATION 2pm
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NEWS:
CHRISTMAS PROGRAM IS BEING PRACTICED EVERY WEEK AT SUNDAY SCHOOL FROM NOW UNTIL THE PROGRAM
Hey kids and families!!! If you want to participate in the Christmas program then you need to be at Sunday school. The program was introduced this past Sunday, and will be practiced every Sunday during Sunday school opening from now until the day of the program.
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OPERATION BACKPACK NEEDS MORE FOOD
This food gets put in children's backpacks on Friday afternoon before they go home for the weekend. Kids are able to get breakfast and lunch every day of the week, but often have to go without food on weekends. Please provide for our kids. There is a coolection box in the preschool room.
single serve sizes of cereal
oatmeal (instant packets)
hot chocolate mix
juice box
peanut butter
jelly (squeezable bottle)
soup
spaghettios or beefaroni
mac and cheese
corn
green beans
granola bars
fruit snacks
pudding cups
raisin boxes
applesauce cups
fruit cups
cereal bars
pretzels
individually wrapped crackers and cookies
bread
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CIRCUIT REFORMATION SERVICE THIS SUNDAY OCTOBER 28 AT 2PM!!!!
St. John's is hosting our 2nd annual circuit wide Reformation service on Sunday, October 28!!! St Paul's, Jonesburg; St. Paul's, New Melle; Grace; Wellsville, Trinity, Wellsville; Christ, Augusta; Immanuel, Wentzville, and Trinity, Troy will all get together to join our voices and hearts in praising our Lord for His grace and truth which was exclaimed and brought back to the forefront during the Reformation!
Come and join with the rest of your Lutheran brothers and sisters in Christ as we celebrate!!
Toni Schwartz is leading a mass choir that day! The choir will practice at 1pm at church.
Call pastor at 359-1061 for more info!!
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"All Hallows Eve Chili & Hot Dog Supper" AND "Trunk or Treat" being held on Wednesday evening, October 31st at St. John's
1. WE NEED TRUNKS!!! We need people to sign up to take up a parking spot for our TRUNK or TREAT!! Call the office to reserve your spot!!! 456-2888
2. WE NEED CANDY!! We are asking for your help by donating any kind of bagged Halloween candy so we can assemble 160 bags of "treats" for our supper attendees! We plan to assemble the bags on Monday, October 29th, so we need to have all the candy donations by no later than Sunday Oct. 28th. We will put a box for the candy collection in the narthex marked "ALL HALLOWS EVE SUPPER".
***Don't forget too that there is a pumpkin carving/decorating contest that night. 3 prize ribbons will be awarded for carved pumpkins that are brought to church ON Wed. Oct. 31 by 4 PM. The will be for: 1. The funniest 2. The scariest 3. The best
They will be used for centerpieces on the dinner tables!! You may take your pumpkins home with you after the event ends at 8 PM.
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A SPECIAL COMMITTEE IS BEING FORMED TO COME UP WITH A WAY TO SUPPORT A DCE (Director of Christian Education) who wold also be a music director here at St. John's.
If you are interested in serving in this way please call pastor asap.
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VENDOR FAIR--- CHRISTMAS MARKET
Little Lambs is hosting a Vendor Fair on Saturday, December 1 from 8am-2pm.
This is for all of those folks who have home based (part time businesses) like Avon, Scentsy, tupperware etc.
First come, first reserve-- no duplicate vendors please.
$20 per booth/table (tables provided)
All proceeds go to building fund.
Please contact Lisa Rausch or Karin Klaustermeier at 456-2888 ext. 4 or email at lrausch@centurytel.net or karin.klaustermeier@hotmail.com
This is a great opportunity to get gifts for Christmas or to make a little extra cash to buy those gifts
This is for all of those folks who have home based (part time businesses) like Avon, Scentsy, tupperware etc.
First come, first reserve-- no duplicate vendors please.
$20 per booth/table (tables provided)
All proceeds go to building fund.
Please contact Lisa Rausch or Karin Klaustermeier at 456-2888 ext. 4 or email at lrausch@centurytel.net or karin.klaustermeier@hotmail.com
This is a great opportunity to get gifts for Christmas or to make a little extra cash to buy those gifts
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SUNDAY MORNING FELLOWSHIP REFRESHMENT SIGN UP!!
We need folks to sign up to bring donuts!! Please sign up on the sheet on the bulletin board right outside the kitchen!! If you partake of the donuts every week and haven't brought any, maybe it's your turn!!
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STEWARDSHIP SPOLIGHT FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER IS PATRIOT PACKAGES
As we all know, our military forces are still spread throughout the world. Many of our loved ones are deployed and arond the world and on bases throughout our own country. Ptriot Packages, formerly known as G4U "Goodies for You" is a small yet effective way that we can care for all those men and women in a very real and practical way. A group of people get together once a month to fill care packages to send out. These packages have very specific items that these soldiers request, that are scarce or nonexistent where they are.
STEWARDSHIP SPOLIGHT FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER IS PATRIOT PACKAGES
As we all know, our military forces are still spread throughout the world. Many of our loved ones are deployed and arond the world and on bases throughout our own country. Ptriot Packages, formerly known as G4U "Goodies for You" is a small yet effective way that we can care for all those men and women in a very real and practical way. A group of people get together once a month to fill care packages to send out. These packages have very specific items that these soldiers request, that are scarce or nonexistent where they are.
What they need from us is money so that they can buy the specific items they need. As always, make checks payable to St. John's and in the memo line write "patriot Packages". Also, as always, this should be above and beyond your regular offerings.
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PRAYERS:
PRAYERS:
For CHARLIE SMITH as he is recovering from a severe heart attack in the ICU at St. Joe's West.
For LIL WINTER as she has been admitted to St. Mary's Hospital for tests and rehab.
For DON TURNURE who is having hip replacement surgery today.
For JOYCE SCHIEN as she is hospitalized with feeding tube issues.
For PEGGY TALBERT as she reocvers from severe esophagus isses. (A hiatal hernia and esophagitis)
For JILL JAOBSMEYER as she recovers from emergency gall bladder surgery.
For WALT SCHIRR, as recovers from surgery to take care of his vertigo and balance problems.
For the FAMILY AND FRIENDS of PASTOR ED WILKINSON who passed away this past weekend.
For GENE SIEBOLD who is recovering from pneumonia at Delmar Gardens in Chesterfield.
For JEANETTE KOEHLER, who is recovering at Troy Nursing Home from an amputaed toe.
For MARILYN FOSTER'S NIECE, HEATHER. She has a very rare spine condition, which has resulted in a spinal fluid leak. They are trying for the 2nd time to do a "blood patch" to stop the leak. Yesterdays try was unsuccessful and they are going to try again today. The only specialist in the US that treats these conditions is out of town until next week, the doctor that is caring for her has only done 1 of these before.
For CHRISTIAN WENZEL, art teacher at Blackhawk Middle School, who fell out of his tree stand while deer hunting on Saturday and broke his sternum and many ribs. He has many things wrong with him and is in critical condition in the hospital.
.
For MARY SUE TOEDEBUSCH as she recovers from a very bad infection and as she continues to deal with very bad rheumatoid arthritis and other health troubles.
For BOB LAMPEN, Karin Klaustermeier's dad, as he begins a new chemotherapy treatment next Week.
For ED, neighbor to the Fosters, who found out he has cancer.
For STEVE, a friend of Tony and Sandra Perricone, who is a husband, and a father of 2 and is undergoing tests for fluid on the brain.
For JOSIAH TULEY, great nephew of DIANNE HANCE'S friend Cindy Schwada. Josiah is about 2 years old, a beautiful blonde with sparkling blue eyes. This baby has a tumor
on his brain.
on his brain.
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